The Tragic Fate Of Brew U: Why Jon Taffer's 'Bar Rescue' Couldn't Save Fairways Golf & Grill
The story of Brew U, originally Fairways Golf & Grill, stands as one of the most frustrating and memorable failures in the history of Paramount Network’s *Bar Rescue*. As of December 22, 2025, the establishment is permanently closed, having shut its doors over a decade ago. The bar, located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, was the subject of the Season 3, Episode 27 episode titled "Hole in None," which premiered in November 2013. Despite a complete overhaul by Jon Taffer and his team, the rescue ultimately failed to overcome the bar's crippling financial debt and internal operational issues, leading to its closure just over a year after the episode aired.
This deep dive explores the shocking unsanitary conditions, the volatile staff dynamics, the ambitious but flawed concept of the original bar, and the specific reasons why the Brew U Bar Rescue turnaround—a transformation into a college-focused coffee fusion bar—could not sustain the business. From the infamous kitchen filth to the owner's financial missteps, this is the definitive update on what happened to the Murfreesboro establishment that became a cautionary tale for the entire nightclub industry.
Key Players and Bar Biography: Fairways Golf & Grill / Brew U
The episode "Hole in None" introduced viewers to a cast of characters and a concept that seemed doomed from the start. The bar's location in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, was intended to capitalize on the local nightlife, particularly the student population of Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU).
- Original Name: Fairways Golf & Grill
- Rescue Name: Brew U
- Location: 127 SE Broad St, Murfreesboro, TN 37130
- Episode Aired: November 17, 2013 (Season 3, Episode 27)
- Owner: Richard Jordan. Jordan invested his life savings into the bar after a decade in the finance industry, including a hefty $40,000 investment in a golf simulator that failed to generate sufficient revenue.
- Manager: Michelle. A staff member promoted to manager who tried to maintain order amidst the chaos.
- Cook: Kevin. Infamously known as "Chef Loss" by the staff, he was the source of much of the kitchen's sanitation issues and was fired (and later rehired) multiple times.
- Concept (Original): A golf-themed sports bar and grill.
- Concept (Rescue): A coffee fusion bar and craft beer spot aimed at the MTSU college crowd.
- Closure Date: December 2014.
The Filth and Failure of Fairways Golf & Grill
When Jon Taffer arrived in Murfreesboro, he uncovered a level of operational incompetence that shocked even the veteran turnaround consultant. The core problem wasn't just poor management; it was a fundamental disregard for health and safety, compounded by crippling financial mismanagement.
The Infamous Kitchen and Sanitation Crisis
The most shocking revelation of the episode was the state of the kitchen, a scene that Taffer described as one of the worst he had ever encountered. The kitchen was filthy, with food safety protocols completely ignored. The most infamous moment involved the discovery of a large, rotting mushroom growing out of a floor mat near the food prep area. This single visual cemented Fairways Golf & Grill's place in Bar Rescue lore as "the mushroom bar." Taffer's subsequent stress test revealed undercooked chicken and general chaos, leading to his signature explosive reaction.
The Burden of Debt and a Flawed Concept
Owner Richard Jordan’s financial background did not translate into smart bar ownership. He had invested a significant portion of his life savings, including $40,000 for a high-end golf simulator, hoping to draw in a niche clientele. This investment, however, became a massive financial liability, contributing to the bar's excessive debt. The original concept—a golf-themed bar—was too narrow and failed to connect with the broader Murfreesboro nightlife scene or the large, untapped student market at Middle Tennessee State University. Furthermore, the staff was constantly at odds, with cook Kevin being a focal point of the operational dysfunction, a situation that Taffer attempted to correct by having him fired.
The Brew U Concept and Jon Taffer's Intervention
Taffer’s strategy was to completely strip away the failing golf theme and pivot the bar toward the massive, underserved market of MTSU students. The new concept, Brew U, was designed to be a dual-purpose establishment, offering both specialty coffee and a wide selection of craft beer. The name itself was a nod to the nearby university crowd, aiming to provide a comfortable, modern, and clean environment for studying, socializing, and drinking.
The Taffer Transformation
The rescue involved a total renovation and the installation of new, critical equipment to ensure operational efficiency and sanitation. While the specific consultants' names are not always highlighted, Taffer's team typically includes renowned mixologists and chefs to retrain the staff. The changes included:
- Concept Change: From a niche golf bar to a versatile coffee fusion bar and craft beer hall.
- Equipment Upgrade: New kitchen equipment and, likely, a modern POS system and liquor control measures (such as Partender, often featured on the show) to track inventory and reduce losses.
- Menu Overhaul: The food menu was simplified, focusing on bar bites and easy-to-execute items, while the drink menu introduced new specialty coffee beverages and a rotating selection of craft beers to appeal to the younger demographic.
- Staff Reorganization: The rescue involved a confrontation with Richard Jordan regarding his management of Kevin, leading to the cook's termination to improve kitchen standards. Michelle was also empowered in her management role.
The new environment was clean, inviting, and perfectly positioned to capture the student market in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The physical transformation was a success, but the underlying financial and personal issues proved too deep-seated for a simple renovation to fix.
Brew U Bar Rescue Update: Why the Turnaround Failed
Despite the positive reception to the new Brew U concept and the clean, modern look, the bar’s success was fleeting. Brew U closed its doors in December 2014, a mere 13 months after the episode aired and the rescue took place. This short lifespan makes it one of the less successful rescues in the show's history.
The Unstoppable Financial Gravity
The primary reason for the failure was the bar’s overwhelming excessive debt. While Taffer can fix a concept, menu, and dirty kitchen, he cannot erase a bar owner's financial liabilities. Richard Jordan's initial investment missteps, particularly the $40,000 golf simulator, had created a financial hole too deep to climb out of, even with increased revenue from the new concept. The bar was simply unable to generate enough profit to service the debt and pay its operating costs.
The Expired Lease and Final Nail in the Coffin
The final, unavoidable factor was the property lease. The owners' lease on the Murfreesboro location expired, and due to the bar's ongoing financial instability and inability to renegotiate favorable terms, they chose not to renew it. Without a location, the business ceased to exist. The combination of an expired lease and the pre-existing excessive debt proved to be the ultimate downfall of Brew U.
The story of Brew U serves as a stark reminder that even the expertise of Jon Taffer and a successful physical transformation cannot save a business from crippling, pre-existing financial debt. The episode continues to be referenced as a classic example of a rescue that fixed the operational problems but failed to overcome the owner's financial and personal mistakes. Today, the location in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, has been occupied by other businesses, and the memory of Fairways Golf & Grill and its brief life as Brew U lives on only in Bar Rescue reruns and online updates.
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